Promotion of the University of Maribor Library

The purpose of the diploma thesis is to determine the current state of promotional activities of the University of Maribor Library and to draw attention to new trends in the field of librarianship, as well as new trends in the world that require changes in current operations, both in presentation and promotion and in the relations of higher education libraries with their users. In the theoretical part of the diploma thesis, the fundamental areas of marketing were first defined. Within this chapter, market research and market preparation and planning were theoretically defined.

Subsequently, the marketing mix was defined. All components of the marketing mix were also defined. These are product, price, distribution and promotion.

Problem

The purpose of the diploma thesis is to determine the current state of promotional activities of the University of Maribor Library and to draw attention to new trends in the field of librarianship, as well as new trends in the world that require changes in current operations, both in presentation and promotion and in the relations of higher education libraries with their users. In the theoretical part of the diploma thesis, the fundamental areas of marketing were first defined. Within this chapter, market research and market preparation and planning were theoretically defined.

Subsequently, the marketing mix was defined. All components of the marketing mix were also defined. These are product, price, distribution and promotion.

Solution and Method

In the practical part, the University of Maribor Library was first briefly presented. Then the Unit for Local Studies, as in their diploma thesis, the central theme of which is promotional activity, they focused precisely on this department. The local studies department is particularly interesting because a great many people do not even know the word local studies itself.

In what follows, they will discuss the promotional activity itself for the local studies department and present some ideas or solutions that seemed appropriate to them in the given situation, which are, among other things, also feasible in reality and of course require minimal financial investment. They will discuss the digitisation of material, which coincides with the current time when all library material is moving from shelves to the world wide web, which we know has virtually no boundaries. Once material is digitised and published online, it is practically possible to access this content from anywhere in the world and users are no longer limited to library premises.

Libraries are treasuries of knowledge, constantly changing, alive, growing and developing daily through time. As a collection of knowledge, culture, progress and technology, they are becoming increasingly useful, beneficial and visitor-friendly. In this context, the question arose as to whether all users of higher education or university libraries are aware of their importance, their tasks and the advantages that libraries offer them.

Results

In the diploma thesis, they therefore attempted to analyse and produce a proposal for improvements on the ways in which the library should present itself or promote itself to the public in order to reach its target users.